Executive facing molestation charge jumps to death

Abhishesh Sharma, 36, took the step in front of his wife after being released on bail.

A corporate executive who was arrested in a molestation case last week jumped from his 25th-floor apartment in Kolshet, Thane, on Monday night, hours after he was released on bail, the police said.

Abhishesh Sharma, 36, took the step in front of his shocked wife, Purnima. The couple have a sevenyear-old son.

Abhishesh’s father, Ramniranjan, alleged Purnima fought with Abhishesh on the way home after his release, which left them disturbed. “When Abhishesh was about to be freed on Monday, our lawyer specifically asked us not to shout at him or taunt him, saying he could be mentally fragile. She ignored the advice, scolding him in the auto on the way home,” he said. “At the apartment, she beat him. I tried to intervene, but Abhishesh told me not to stop her.”

It was not immediately possible to get an account of Abhishesh’s final hours from his distraught wife.

Abhishesh worked as an assistant vice-president at a leading business house. The Thane Crime Branch arrested him on November 27 on the charge of outraging the modesty of a former colleague. According to her complaint, he used to frequently call and message her despite her disapproval of his behaviour. When she blocked him, he allegedly started emailing her and even rang up her relatives, seeking their help to talk to her. Ramniranjan said his son had not harassed anyone and he was innocent.

Abhishesh jumped out of a window of the family’s apartment in Lodha Amara around 8:30 pm, according to the police report. He fell on a parapet over the entrance lobby. Neighbours alerted the Kapurbawdi police, brought him down with the fire brigade’s help. He was rushed to Thane Civil Hospital, but there was nothing doctors could do. He was declared dead.

“We have registered an accidental death report. Abhishesh’s relatives claim he committed suicide after a heated argument with his wife. They also say she hit him. We have recorded their statement,” said senior inspector Anil Deshmukh of the Kapurbawdi police station.

Ramniranjan accused his daughter-in-law of abetment to suicide. “If relatives from the deceased’s side file a complaint, we will look into the claim,” Deshmukh said.

Around 8:30 pm on Monday, Abhishesh Sharma jumped out of a window and fell on a parapet over the entrance lobby